Wait! 5 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Job

When considering a new job, it is important to make sure the grass will truly be greener on the other side.

While working for a new employer often helps an employee's career, it can also be a detriment. A new study from Spherion Staffing Services revealed that long-term career advancement doesn't always happen by moving from one employer to another, but rather by staying with one company.

Specifically, 63 percent of workers said that long-term career advancement depends on staying with an employer for a long time. Additionally, 61 percent of workers today said that changing jobs every few years usually damages a person's long-term career prospects.

Spherion Division President Sandy Mazur said before the recession, it wasn't uncommon to see workers dedicate years of service to one employer.

"However, during the recession, workers defined their loyalty to their company as the contributions that they made to their workplace, which in turn, helped them market themselves and their experience when job security was uncertain and massive layoffs occurred," Mazur said. "Now, as the economy rebounds, workers have had a taste of job stability, and they like it."

Knowing the downsides that can come from switching jobs, Mazur said employees must really weigh the pros and cons before making a move.

"When workers are at a crossroads when it comes to staying at their current company or moving to another job, it's important for them to consider certain criteria to determine whether it's worth the move," Mazur told Business News Daily.

Mazur said every employee should consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to leave a current job for a new one:

Compensation: Will you be fairly compensated based on your job responsibilities and description in the new role? If you are in the same line of work, is it comparable to what you currently make? Will staying in your current role eventually lead to an increase in your compensation? Money isn't everything, but it's certainly an important factor to consider.

Contribution to the company: Do you feel like you contribute to your current company's bottom line? Does your work make a difference? If you feel as though it doesn't, do you think switching to a new job will change this? Everyone wants to feel as though his or her work is valued and appreciated, and that it contributes to a larger cause or movement. Demonstrating this, the top two ways companies can increase worker engagement are by making workers feel more valued and by offering more opportunities to contribute beyond current responsibilities.

Your current/future colleagues: Are you getting along with your current co-workers and teams? When interviewing with the new company, did you get a good vibe from your future co-workers and how they would treat you at work? Since you spend more time with your colleagues than you do with your family, you want to make sure you like and respect the people at your job.

Company culture: Does your current company's culture match your personality, work style, values and morals? If it doesn't, will the future job be a better fit? You spend most of your waking hours at work, so it's important to know if the future company's culture will mesh well with your beliefs.

Growth opportunities: Do you have training or continuing education opportunities outside of work that can help you advance in your career or learn new skills? Will this continue if you move to another job? If you wanted to switch roles in the future, whether it's at your current or future company, do you think your boss could facilitate that move? Assess what growth opportunities you have to facilitate your career and if changing jobs will open new doors for you.

The Spherion study was based on surveys of 230 U.S. human resources managers and 2,000 U.S. workers.

Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based freelance writer who has nearly 15 years experience in the media business. A graduate of Indiana University, he spent nearly a decade as a staff reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, covering a wide array of topics including, local and state government, crime, the legal system and education. Following his years at the newspaper Chad worked in public relations, helping promote small businesses throughout the U.S. Follow him on Twitter.